Discovering the hidden charms of Hiroshima, Matsuyama, Tokushima and more
Photos: Weekender
I never seem to tire of Japan, no matter how often I step foot into its maze of skyscrapers, shrines and pop cultural hangouts.
This time round, I found myself discovering the Setouchi area in the heart of autumn, where we luxuriated in a poetic dreamscape of fall foliage.
The region consists of a national park, calm inland seas and beautiful islands, in addition to historical buildings and cultural sites.
Escaping the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, we plunged into the quieter gems of the country — exploring the likes of Miyajima, Hiroshima, Imabari and more.
To explore Setouchi like a local, be sure to tick these 14 activities off your checklist:
9. View Oboke and Koboke Gorges from a sightseeing boat
To get a little closer to nature, consider taking a sightseeing boat ride downstream through the Oboke and Koboke Gorges — both of which are steep sided gorges located near the entrance of Iya Valley.
The gentle boat ride takes around 30 minutes, during which a guide will point out various interesting rock formations along the way, some of which resemble animals such as the lion.
The hourly limited express trains between Okayama and Kochi stop at Oboke Station along the way.
ADVERTISEMENTS